Wife is finally done with Cali!

[gqchris]

@gqchris how did the conversation go with the kids?

Went well Sir! Thanks for asking. The oldest cried a bit over her friends, but today she seems so excited and told us she cant wait till June.

 

[X Hoser]

Went well Sir! Thanks for asking. The oldest cried a bit over her friends, but today she seems so excited and told us she cant wait till June.

I’ve got to tell you our grandkids have had no problem meeting new friend in Tennessee or Idaho. In the short amount of time they have been there, probably more friends than where they moved from. It was a concern of ours too, leaving our friends. Seems like both of our “new” neighborhoods in Eastern Tennessee and North Idaho are much friendlier than in CA. Everybody is just so friendly and accommodating! Neighborhood walks, progressive lunches and dinners, 4th of July parties are huge. Holloween is a blast with bars set up for adults and candy for the kids. My neighbor in Tennessee on Douglas lake told us if you don’t get your dock in this summer just use ours as we don’t have a boat and just fish off it.

 

[Looking Glass]

Pot meet Kettle….

Touched a Nerve?

 

[Looking Glass]

Touched a Nerve?

I see your "President" WON the S. Carolina "Donkey" Primary with 98.3% beating the other "2" Non Opponents!! "Brandon" Is On A Roll!!

 

[Shlbyntro]

Airport's or such being close is important for some, both for family and work. We're an hourand a half from the big Phoenix Airport, but out puddle jumpers run a few a day to LAX and Denver. Hospitals and Healthcare are a big issue. Any real specialists are down the hill, and so are the level 1 traumas. I think Flag is level 2, but good cardio care I hear?

We have no family near, and knew no one when we moved. We flew blind, but it worked for us.

Same, I moved to Texas knowing nobody. no friends or family of any kind out this way but I imagine it was a little bit easier for me being 24 and single. The Austin airport is small but has grown steadily since I came here a mere 9.5 years ago; I would liken it to somewhere between LA/Ontario and San Diego today . This town now is a far cry from the "small" city I moved to back then and the airport itself is unrecognizable from what it was in the time period too. I'd say the one major benefit is I moved to one of the more affluent areas of the Austin metroplex originally landing in an area called Steiner Ranch out by the lake and located in the northwest outskirts of Travis County. I lived there for about 8 years before moving to Lakeway a little under 2 years ago. It was a mere down the street move 15 minutes away and essentially around the corner from most of the marinas that I service.

Unlike most of the Californians who moved here, I didn't do it in search of some hotspot Utopia. Austin wasn't even on my radar. I came to Austin because I was desperate to get out of California and a good paying job out here was offered to me in my exact line of work. The boat industry is a tough one for anybody wondering. Not only is it seasonal but it was also only just beginning to recover from 2009. My first job out here came to me from the Phoenix Craigslist of all places. I had already scoured all Havasu which was a very seasonal market at the time with no real prospects and I was heavily marketing myself in the Phoenix area and came very close but just couldn't make the stars align.

When the opportunity came about I recall my first thought being, "Ya, I could probably do Texas"

From my experience, I found the job first and then secondly decided if the area it was located in aligned with my wants and needs at the time, but I can say I was already prepped for an out of state move, I just didn't know where I was going yet. That was my approach and I'd say it's worked out fairly decently thus far, even with life's little "monkeys wrenches" thrown in there along the way.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Same, I moved to Texas knowing nobody. no friends or family of any kind out this way but I imagine it was a little bit easier for me being 24 and single. The Austin airport is small but has grown steadily since I came here a mere 9.5 years ago; I would liken it to somewhere between LA/Ontario and San Diego today . This town now is a far cry from the "small" city I moved to back then and the airport itself is unrecognizable from what it was in the time period too. I'd say the one major benefit is I moved to one of the more affluent areas of the Austin metroppex originally landing in an area called Steiner Ranch out by the lake and located in the northwest outskirts of Travis County. I lived there for over 8 years before moving to Lakeway a little under 2 years ago. It was a mere down the street move 15 minutes away and essentially around the corner from most of the marinas that I service.

Unlike most of the Californians who moved here, I didn't do it in search of some hotspot Utopia. Austin wasn't even on my radar. I came to Austin because I was desperate to get out of California and a good paying job out here was offered to me in my exact line of work. The boat industry is a tough one for anybody wondering. Not only is it seasonal but it was also only just beginning to recover from 2009. My first job out here came to me from the Phoenix Craigslist of all places. I had already scoured all Havasu which was a very seasonal market at the time with no real prospects and I was heavily marketing myself in the Phoenix area and came very close but just couldn't make the stars align.

When the opportunity came about I recall my first thought being, "Ya, I could probably do Texas"

From my experience, I found the job first and then secondly decided if the area it was located in aligned with my wants and needs at the time, but I can say I was already prepped for an out of state move, I just didn't know where I was going yet. That was my approach and I'd say it's worked out fairly decently thus far, even with life's little "monkeys wrenches" thrown in there along the way.

We left Needles for a drive. Monsoon was coming in, day on the water was out. Had our lunch packed already, threw it and the kids in the car and rolled. Ate lunch at a small lake in Prescott. Drove unknowingly into Prescott Valley.

Stopped at a park, and a nice young lady was having a birthday party for her daughter. We talked for a bit, about where we were from and what we were doing driving around. She went over to her table, and came back with goody bags for our three kids! (Found out later, a year or more, her husband was a fireman in town) From there, went to a gas station market, where a long haired kid with pierced ears held the door open for my wife, and a truck with kids in the bed wearing cowboy hats was gassing up.

The place just felt "right".
I think it was two weeks later we had a house in escrow. We aren't making big money. In fact, pretty much broke. It's a far cry from the life I'd envisioned, or the things I worked towards before, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

People say California is what you make it. Problem is, you can't really change it, you have to change yourself to make the best of it. The compromises are many, if one is honest with themselves. I made one major compromise instead. I don't make the money I did. For my family, and our situation, it worked out. The past two years have been beyond intense, with medical issues. I had no clue when we moved what was going to happen. Being here, and not as worried about mortgages and car payments, has allowed time we could not have found if we would have stayed.

 

[hallett21]

Went well Sir! Thanks for asking. The oldest cried a bit over her friends, but today she seems so excited and told us she cant wait till June.

Happy to hear that. That’s a big hurdle for any family

 

[gqchris]

I forgot to tell everyone, my only living relative, my dad, lives 1 hour outside Knoxville. We checked it out last year and hated Nashville as most do. Seemed like Cali.

Was relaxing in Greeneville, but we got bored pretty quick. I rented the most bad ass, on the lake Airbnb I could find. It did rain the whole time, but we realized once my Dad passes we would probably end up super bored there in a bitchen estate.

Retirement will be that way for sure. But a little too soon got that and I need to live near a big airport for work as well.

 

[gqchris]

I’ve got to tell you our grandkids have had no problem meeting new friend in Tennessee or Idaho. In the short amount of time they have been there, probably more friends than where they moved from. It was a concern of ours too, leaving our friends. Seems like both of our “new” neighborhoods in Eastern Tennessee and North Idaho are much friendlier than in CA. Everybody is just so friendly and accommodating! Neighborhood walks, progressive lunches and dinners, 4th of July parties are huge. Holloween is a blast with bars set up for adults and candy for the kids. My neighbor in Tennessee on Douglas lake told us if you don’t get your dock in this summer just use ours as we don’t have a boat and just fish off it.

I love that neighborly attitude. We miss it so much out here. Eastern TN is on the map later in life for sure!

 

[BHC Vic]

I love that neighborly attitude. We miss it so much out here. Eastern TN is on the map later in life for sure!

That for sure is one thing I like about other states that I don’t really get in Cali. People are friendlier outside of California and in less of a hurry so more small talk and chit chatting which is something I enjoy.

 

[CarolynandBob]

SWFL same uniform different bubble.
I’m in Sarasota and the city is very aggressive about policing the panhandlers. Occasionally you see them at intersections but you bringing that up just made me realize that they have been few and far between around here lately.
I was born here but for the last 20 years I’ve spent a lot of time in Idaho where I have a working farm. Summer is a no brainer for me it’s all Idaho and lately I’ve enjoyed being up there in the dead of winter as well. Pure happenstance that I landed in these two states, born and raised in FL and knew nothing about Idaho except it had the climate I needed to grow and ship the crop I wanted.
In both states there is a noticeable air of freedom that’s hard to describe. Wacky ideology seems to have a hard time taking root here. Not that there’s a shortage of wacky people but the background seems to stay more even keel.
I’d think FL would be a hard transition for anyone used to the arid west. The humidity can be relentless from May through October. Offshore fishing and boating in general make FL hard to beat though imo.


View attachment 1330332

I rarely see pan handlers in Sarasota. Never a homeless camp or tent.

 

[Crazyhippy]

800k ish

https://redf.in/sHaHs6

Or off the water, but much closer to restaurants

https://redf.in/0zfV6m

 

[Sharky]

Absolutely , governor is a queer that hates oil and gas.

And his rump ranger partner hates farming & ranching.

The two of them are a match made in leftist fagdom.

 

[X Hoser]

I forgot to tell everyone, my only living relative, my dad, lives 1 hour outside Knoxville. We checked it out last year and hated Nashville as most do. Seemed like Cali.

Was relaxing in Greeneville, but we got bored pretty quick. I rented the most bad ass, on the lake Airbnb I could find. It did rain the whole time, but we realized once my Dad passes we would probably end up super bored there in a bitchen estate.

Retirement will be that way for sure. But a little too soon got that and I need to live near a big airport for work as well.

99% of the time Knoxville is going to be more expensive to fly into and out of compared to Nashville. But, we are an hour east of Knoxville and 3.5 hours east of Nashville. We pay the extra to fly into/out of Knoxville as it is so much more convenient and accessible. It’s about the same size as Ontario Airport and an easy walk from one end to the other.

 

[rivermobster]

Millions have decided its worth it!

Millions??? I think Not!

Crazy humidity in the summer and freezing balls in the winter.

That's fine IF you know what you're getting yourself into!

 

[rivermobster]

I forgot to tell everyone, my only living relative, my dad, lives 1 hour outside Knoxville. We checked it out last year and hated Nashville as most do. Seemed like Cali.

Was relaxing in Greeneville, but we got bored pretty quick. I rented the most bad ass, on the lake Airbnb I could find. It did rain the whole time, but we realized once my Dad passes we would probably end up super bored there in a bitchen estate.

Retirement will be that way for sure. But a little too soon got that and I need to live near a big airport for work as well.

I'm retired and am busier than I've ever been. There is Always something to do, just at a slower pace with no stress.

You'll Love it.

 

[cofooter]

Millions??? I think Not!

View attachment 1330904

Crazy humidity in the summer and freezing balls in the winter.

That's fine IF you know what you're getting yourself into!

 

[cofooter]

Millions??? I think Not!

View attachment 1330904

Crazy humidity in the summer and freezing balls in the winter.

That's fine IF you know what you're getting yourself into!

I was referring to the millions of people that have left California for a less perfect climate in exchange for a better quality of life.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I was referring to the millions of people that have left California for a less perfect climate in exchange for a better quality of life.

sure is looking rather perfect right now

 

[Bobby V]

sure is looking rather perfect right now

View attachment 1330968

Rain and snow is a good thing.

 

[rivermobster]

I was referring to the millions of people that have left California for a less perfect climate in exchange for a better quality of life.

Yeah, that number is climbing exponentially.

I'll probably make that same trade myself someday.

 

[rivrrts429]

We’re an organization with locations coast to coast. I can tell you it’s been brutal on the operation retaining California employees from relocating to other locations outside of California. These employees applying for a transfer are even taking pay cuts to match the new location market payroll.

Relocation costs are no longer offered except for corporate level and above.

I can move anywhere as long as I’m near an airport. They would pay to relocate me as well. I’ll hold tight until my 14 year old daughter graduates HS to decide.

 

[530RL]

Some data worth reading when considering where to move.

California's population drain

siepr.stanford.edu

 

[clarence]

I’ll hold tight until my 14 year old daughter graduates HS to decide.

Might want to be a resident of another state before then to qualify for in-state college tuition?

 

[BHC Vic]

sure is looking rather perfect right now

View attachment 1330968

Too cold and gloomy for me to get out back and clean

 

[rivrrts429]

Might want to be a resident of another state before then to qualify for in-state college tuition?

Good idea. I own property in AZ and California. Let’s hope ASU or UofA is on her list. I took her to a tour of USC and she loved it. Looking to sell a kidney and left arm if that’s where she wants to go lol

 

[Shlbyntro]

Too cold and gloomy for me to get out back and clean View attachment 1330990

The weather is horrendous here too

 

[530RL]

Good idea. I own property in AZ and California. Let’s hope ASU or UofA is on her list. I took her to a tour of USC and she loved it. Looking to sell a kidney and left arm if that’s where she wants to go lol

Residency Classification FAQs | Office of the Registrar

registrar.arizona.edu

 

[Orange Juice]

All due respect. If my kids / grandkids weren’t still in the general area. SCV. I would be out of here. The minor improvements. If you want to call them that as opposed to what’s really happening. Time to be gone.
I just don’t see a lot of hope for LA areas or Cali in general.

It was just as bad in the 1960’s, 1970’s,1980’s,1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s, and now 2020’s.

My wife is getting sick of the Northeast Phoenix area in the winter, because of all the extra traffic. I tell her what she’s sick of is driving, and she agrees. It’s people, and their attitudes.

I think the grass always looks better on the other side of the fence, until you walk the property.

 

[Your ad here]

The crime and taxes we pay. The fact that we can never afford a house here not in the hood and Im working my ass off to make ends meet and we never get ahead.

This is what I was facing in California. Grew up in RSM and knew I was going to go broke safely if I stayed. I tried and worked my ass off and it was a conversation with my dad that made me get serious. Told me at the rate I'm going I will have a heart attack before I'm 30... 34 now and in a different state. In a traditional 3 bed/2 bath house and make the mortgage payment in 2.5 working days a month. Also have a side business and have had many great opportunities. If I stayed in California I would've burned through what I had saved for a down payment on a house, had that heart attack, and missed opportunities because I would've been sitting in traffic.

 

[clarence]

It was just as bad in the 1960’s, 1970’s,1980’s,1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s, and now 2020’s.

LOL

 

[Smitty7]

You guys don't see the absurdity of this ? You will uproot your whole life and pack up a lifetimes worth because of some crooked yuppy cocksucker with a comb and some hairspray. Would it not be better to take control of your own life ?

 

[rivrrts429]

You guys don't see the absurdity of this ? You will uproot your whole life and pack up a lifetimes worth because of some crooked yuppy cocksucker with a comb and some hairspray. Would it not be better to take control of your own life ?

How?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Good idea. I own property in AZ and California. Let’s hope ASU or UofA is on her list. I took her to a tour of USC and she loved it. Looking to sell a kidney and left arm if that’s where she wants to go lol

Psst....take her for a drive up and down Fig anytime after sundown, or before sunrise
It was an eye opener for me when I worked that way.

 

[X Hoser]

I think this tread has taken a direction @gqchris probably didn’t intend it to? If he and his wife want out of CA., we all should support his decision. I can tell you that I have never regretted the things I’ve done, BUT have regretted the things I did not do! He sounds young enough to try it and see how it works out. He’ll never know unless he does.

 

[v6toy4x]

I encourage you to consider your step daughter, I moved 800 miles with my family right after my freshman year, at 14, it was pretty rough to meet new friends and "fit-in" while staying out of trouble.

Just a thought, none of my business, congrats, the search for the new landing spot will be a great adventure in itself!!

 

[Orange Juice]

sure is looking rather perfect right now

View attachment 1330968

 

[cofooter]

I think this tread has taken a direction @gqchris probably didn’t intend it to? If he and his wife want out of CA., we all should support his decision. I can tell you that I have never regretted the things I’ve done, BUT have regretted the things I did not do! He sounds young enough to try it and see how it works out. He’ll never know unless he does.

As we have learned on RDP, it is a deeply individual decision of where one chooses to live and why. No one knows the motivation behind that decision or what is best for someone else. All the pictures of the beautiful climate are secondary to dozens of other motivational factors. Live and let live where you want and let others make the decision that is best for THEM!

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Thread title, "wife is finally done with Cali".

I like that you have no problem announcing to the world who wears the pants. haha

Best of luck with your move!

 

[v6toy4x]

sure is looking rather perfect right now

View attachment 1330968

Yea we will take one in the shorts for the AZ boys, we wouldn't want all those new SPEED UTVs to get washed down a ravine

 

[HBCraig]

You guys don't see the absurdity of this ? You will uproot your whole life and pack up a lifetimes worth because of some crooked yuppy cocksucker with a comb and some hairspray. Would it not be better to take control of your own life ?

I know Chris
He's a family guy. Don't want to speak out of turn but I think by moving he is controlling his family's future.

 

[Your ad here]

I encourage you to consider your step daughter, I moved 800 miles with my family right after my freshman year, at 14, it was pretty rough to meet new friends and "fit-in" while staying out of trouble.

Just a thought, none of my business, congrats, the search for the new landing spot will be a great adventure in itself!!

Not a parent here but if the child is a average student and doesn't have anything at risk, future education wise like a scholarship, then make the move if it will better the household and it'll be a lesson in adulthood for the child. With social media and all the access to the world resting in your hand, adjusting to a move is a lot easier than it was 20 years ago. Biggest adjustment is you have to fit in to where you move to and accept that places way of life, both children and parents...

 

[v6toy4x]

Not a parent here but if the child is a average student and doesn't have anything at risk, future education wise like a scholarship, then make the move if it will better the household and it'll be a lesson in adulthood for the child. With social media and all the access to the world resting in your hand, adjusting to a move is a lot easier than it was 20 years ago. Biggest adjustment is you have to fit in to where you move to and accept that places way of life, both children and parents.

As I said, none of my business, probably should not have raised it in the first place I am sure OP will have his entire family's well being considered.

 

[Mr. C]

As I said, none of my business, probably should not have raised it in the first place I am sure OP will have his entire family's well being considered.

Sharing your life experiences. To me all good.
Sometimes we all need someone’s else experience to balance the scales. Or at least have them known.

 

[angiebaby]

Good idea. I own property in AZ and California. Let’s hope ASU or UofA is on her list. I took her to a tour of USC and she loved it. Looking to sell a kidney and left arm if that’s where she wants to go lol

There is a lot more to it than merely owning property. We dealt with this in Nevada after our exodus from SoCal. I had been a resident for two full years when I started my graduate program, and worked in the state (for the local school district), owned a home in the state, and had filed tax returns in the state. It was still a total PITA. I had to show all of that documentation with a letter from my employer that I was truly employed there, even though my tax returns stated it. I believe I had to share the front pages of my tax returns with them.

Thread title, "wife is finally done with Cali".

I like that you have no problem announcing to the world who wears the pants. haha

Best of luck with your move!

I know your post was in jest, but if I recall, Chris has posted several times that he would like to leave, but couldn't get his wife on board.


As for moving at 14 years old, I did the same. My family moved from a town of 900 people in central Oregon to Menifee in 1984. At that time, we were bused to Perris High School. There were more kids in just the school than in my previous whole town. Quite a culture shock for this sheltered country girl and I was very sad (and a bit angry) to leave my friends. However, back then, we only had long distance calls and letters. The phone calls were limited to once a month. Today, we have SO MANY great ways to keep in touch with people who are far away. Plus, if we hadn't moved, I would not have met Sportin' Wood and had 34 years of wedded bliss. It was tough moving, but it also allowed me to connect and have empathy for my students who were knew to the area as middle schoolers and I could share my story with them about not having anyone to eat lunch with for about a week. So my kids were usually pretty good about helping new kids feel welcome. I guess my point is that things happen for a reason, and maybe my struggles as a new student in a new school helped me help some kids have an easier time. So, you never know what will come of it.

 

[rivrrts429]

There is a lot more to it than merely owning property. We dealt with this in Nevada after our exodus from SoCal. I had been a resident for two full years when I started my graduate program, and worked in the state (for the local school district), owned a home in the state, and had filed tax returns in the state. It was still a total PITA. I had to show all of that documentation with a letter from my employer that I was truly employed there, even though my tax returns stated it. I believe I had to share the front pages of my tax returns with them.

My paycheck is Phoenix based.

 

[kurtis500]

Holy Heck, this came from left field, but my wife just told me that she is done with this shithole and we are to be moving one way or another at end of summer.

Wow. Never thought I would hear the day! Im am beyond happy.

We have always talked and were going to wait for my stepdaughter to finish high school, but its gotten so bad that its going to be fast tracked.

Now the search begins.

I know that south utah is an option. She also keyed up on Scottsdale. Not sure if thats any better. We want to avoid major snow so that eliminates a few areas.

I dont give a damn, im so happy that my exit is near!

Not sure if you decided where yet but I did a similar thing about 6 years ago. Also I live in Utah and still have my house in Phoenix I’m at maybe 30-50% of the time. I fly twice a week to and from Phoenix and Park City/SLC.

I pulled my 2 girls from high school in phx and we moved to park city Utah when they were a sophomore and junior. They graduated from Park City High School and it was the best thing we did for them. The situation at their school in Phoenix was so degraded I had to make a decision as a father. It was the right one and they can both attest to it today and loved being at the new school. I would NOT recommend doing what I did if your kids are plugged in to their schools in a healthy way.

With that said there are great places in Phoenix/Scottsdale to go to high school. We moved because both my kids were athletes and the AIA would make them sit out a year if we moved. They both did college sports. Utah is great also and we love it here. I love it in Phoenix also but the central city is no different than DTLA now. Scottsdale/Gilbert area is a different story. I would raise a kid there in the right school any day. In Utah i am partial to Park City so I would recommend that. I’m not a southern Utah fan. It’s nice but still cold, snows and a ways from a large city you are used to living in.

My .02

I can expand a lot more if you wanted to hear anything specific. Everyone’s story is different.

 

[Groper]

Might want to be a resident of another state before then to qualify for in-state college tuition?

You would think huh, But a friend tried that, and it was a no go, it has to do where the student graduates from.
In most cases you have to of been in the state for 2yrs.
That's what happened in this case, it could be different in other states.

 

[clarence]

You would think huh, But a friend tried that, and it was a no go, it has to do where the student graduates from.
In most cases you have to of been in the state for 2yrs.
That's what happened in this case, it could be different in other states.

In TX it's only one year to establish residency.

But it's not worth as much as I'd thought if you can qualify for in-state tuition ($11,700) at UT-Austin that quickly.

Moving before only saves you $29,400 (out-of-state tuition $41,100).

Probably easier to gain admission though?

 

[clarence]

OTOH, could save $200K+ vs USC if waited to see where accepted (peer school) and move there for 4 years.

USN&WR rank/tuition:

UNC 22/$39,400+(9,000x3)=66,400 save $206,600
University of Florida 28/$28,700+(6,400x3)=47,900 save $225,100
USC 28/$68,250x4=273,000
UT 32/$41,100+(11,700x3)=76,200 save $196,800

ASU 105
UA 115

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities